Gypsy Caravan: When The Road Bends

I watched this DVD twice and the tears were flowing down my cheeks both times. There is so much horrible discrimination against these people that I think it's difficult to strike a balance between the great artistry and virtuosity of these musicians and the great hardships and injustices that they endure in their homes. Even in the US we're told, they need to live in hiding to avoid discrimination. Esma is a magnificent figure both in her artistry, she really had me in tears, but also in her ability to aid the Roma. I loved when she listed a variety of things that gypsies had never done including starting a world war. I also loved the Maharaja. I wasn't quite sure if they were gypsies or not. I know the Roma originated in that region. Actually I loved all the music. We are so accustomed to playing music while reading it that we forget that musicians didn't always have to read music to play and you can really play better when you're not concentrating on the written note.
I hope this DVD is successful in its work to further the decade of Romani inclusion.

Betsy,

What's worse is that the gypsies rate about nowhere in discussions about persecuted minorities. One of the problems I think is that most people in America (me included) get our images of gypsies through movies and may even think they're just a fictional people.

This is definitely a winner for anyone who likes the music. I tried to be careful not to judge the film simply b/c my musical taste didn't jibe with it.

I don't know how much movies, any movie, contribute to major social problems like ending discrimination, but I also hope the DVD is a success.